About the Book
An essential manual for yoga teachers and students to create a trauma-sensitive practice that benefits and supports all.
People are turning to yoga for its stress-reducing practice and transformative philosophy. But for those who have a trauma history, the practice can be triggering. The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga offers an inclusive approach to yoga for teachers and students of all ages and abilities, especially those who have experienced trauma. Some of the themes covered include-
How do the impacts of trauma show up in yoga spacesSuggested language for shifting power to the practitionerHow to create an environment conducive to healingHow to practice or teach poses in a way that includes allAnd much more
This book is beautifully illustrated with 260 photos of poses and sequences, modeled by trauma survivorswho share stories of how yoga helps them heal. Land works with people of all ages, from young children to seniors, who are coping with a range of traumas including physical, emotional and sexual abuse, homelessness, genocide, and incarceration. She is a passionateadvocate for making the benefits of yoga and mindfulness available to all.
About the Author :
LARA LAND is a deeply compassionate somatic therapist, life coach, consultant, and yoga-teacher trainer specializing in trauma sensitivity. Her work is directed in helping to heal trauma, both subtle and significant, and to train others to do the same using yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and breathing practices. Lara has spent the last twenty-five years studying and sharing yoga asana, chanting, meditation, and philosophy directly from her teachers in India. Her commitment is to honor the traditions of yoga by responding to the needs of each individual using a unique combination of practices and techniques that are appropriate for their personal growth. Lara is the owner of Land Yoga, coproducer of SOULFest, and executive director of Three and a Half Acres Yoga. Her self-published life-purpose planner, My Bliss Book, was released in 2018. She has been featured in Yoga Journal, New York Magazine, the Huffington Post, and on NY1, Fox5, CBS, and Pix11.
Review :
“The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga is an essential work for helping us create equitable yoga and movement spaces. Now more than ever, we must be conscious of protecting and preserving our mental wellbeing. Yoga is an integral part of that process. Accessing yoga in a way that is healing to our mind and body is a gift. This book is insightful, empathetic, and healing—helping teachers and practitioners to find their way to peace of mind on the mat.”—Dianne Bondy, author of Yoga Where You Are, Accessible Yoga Teacher, and the leader of the Yoga For All movement
“The Essential Guide for Trauma Sensitive Yoga is a comprehensive resource for teachers to understand the complex nuances of trauma and the subtle and overt ways it can present itself in our students. As teachers, we have a responsibility to serve the whole person and that includes sensitizing ourselves to the various ways that trauma lives uniquely in each body, how it influences the mind and perceptions and can affect one's health and emotional wellness. Lara Land deftly provides the necessary guidance, insights, and best practices so that facilitators can support their students on their journey toward healing with more mindfulness, awareness, and skill. This excellent resource should be required reading in any teacher training course.”—Seane Corn, Yoga Teacher, author of Revolution of the Soul
“A truly valuable resource for every yoga teacher and yoga student looking to delve into the practice from a trauma-informed perspective. This inclusive view of what the yoga practice can be features sequences and teacher profiles that bring the message of accessibility home in a relatable way.”—Kino MacGregor, Founder of Omstars, author of Get Your Yoga On, The Yogi Assignment, and The Power of Ashtanga Yoga
“Lara Land has created a one of a kind "how-to" resource as it relates to the field of trauma-informed yoga. This book equips aspiring trauma-informed yoga teachers with incredible tools to feel confident in their teaching and their ability to hold a safe container for those who have experienced trauma. The most comprehensive guide on sequences, case studies, nervous system tools, inquiries, and most importantly how we show up with care, compassion, and nuance. I am in awe of this book and grateful for the skillful and centered guidance it provides to all healing professionals passionate about integrating this modality and lens into the scope of their work.”—Zahabiyah Yamasaki, M.Ed., RYT, author of Trauma-Informed Yoga for Survivors of Sexual Assault
“The Essential Guide to Trauma Sensitive Yoga is just that, essential. Every yoga teacher needs to read this book and keep it as a resource. Trauma Sensitive Yoga is no longer just a specialty area. It is now standard practice to remember that we all have trauma, and these tools are essential for including everyone. In this book, Lara Land offers a definitive guidebook for doing just that, making yoga welcoming for all.”—Jivana Heyman, author of Accessible Yoga and Yoga Revolution
“After reading this guide, the teacher is left with a better understanding of trauma, encouraged to explore and do their own work, plus sequences and poses they can work with to build their own class that is welcoming and open to all students no matter the level or trauma they may be dealing with in their lives.”—Yoga Love Magazine
